Fast and easy business cards

Fast and easy business cards

You want to leave a great first impression, but you don't have the funds for a professional business card. No problem! Making your own business cards is fast and easy, and you can do it in the comfort of your own home.

But first, you should know what you need to consider when designing your own business card, so you put your best foot forward, every time.

Business Cards 101

Everybody knows what a business card is. Or do we? At its heart, a business card is a small piece of paper with your contact information, name and company logo printed on it. It's a quick and easy way to introduce yourself to someone else. But what really is the purpose?

Your business card will present you in an organized manner that should focus on three things: who you are as a person, what you do for a living, and how to contact you.

Some people use their business cards as the only way of communicating with potential clients or customers. Others may hand it out at networking events in order to make connections that could lead them closer to closing deals on future projects.

How you use your card reflects on who you are, so it's always a good idea to think about what you would like people to think and experience when you give them your card.

Essential Parts of a Great Business Card

While there is no official or standard list of information that should be present on a business card, most cards should have the following:

1. Your name - your full name along with any titles and suffixes can give you a professional boost. But you should also consider if a more casual, friendly name will benefit you and who you give your business cards to.
2. What you do for a living, or your work title - many people with more creative cards tend to do away with this, but remember, your recipient might forget why they would contact you in the first place. Make it obvious what you can help them with!
3. Your contact information - whether it's an email address, phone number, or even physical address, this is important. Formatting is also important. Business cards are small, so consider leaving out some data if it's unnecessary. For example, if you hand out your cards only to local contacts, consider leaving out your country or even state.
4. A hint or preview of your work - also consider the possibility of giving your recipient a clue or preview of what you do. Perhaps it's a website link to your portfolio, or using the background of the card or its shape to hint about your ability. For professional cards, often a logo of the business or company can be enough.

Many creative professionals choose to leave out some information, or even play around with the card itself. You can too, such as using different materials than paper, turning it into a folded card, changing the shape, and the like.

Feel free to experiment, but always keep in mind what your intended recipients will need to know.

Steps to a Business Card That Works

Creating a business card can be as simple as putting in your information, and often that's enough to get your business name out there. But if you want to stand out a bit more and add some personality to the cards themselves, it's worth taking a little time.

Step 1: Think about who will receive your cards.

It's impossible to think of absolutely everybody who might receive your card. But taking the time to determine the most common types of people you will be handing your card to will make sure your cards are effective.

Do you usually give your cards to:

• Fellow sales associates within your industry?
• Potential customers in a certain market or meeting a specific persona, such as mothers, engaged couples, enthusiasts, students, etc?
• Fellow business owners and entrepreneurs you can partner with?
• Clients in a certain industry like medical or dental patients?

These different people will have different uses for a business card, and might need different information or style from what's common.

Step 2: Determine what information they need from your card.

After selecting the kind of people who you would most likely hand out your card to, think about what information they would appreciate seeing on your card.

Will they appreciate seeing your titles and certifications that you are an expert in your field? Or will they feel intimidated with such a design and prefer a more approachable way of contacting you?

Are they tech-savvy individuals, or would they have no idea how to contact you if you only provided an email address?

Do you hand them out at international conventions? If so, you should include your country in your address or country codes in your contact numbers.

Step 3: Design your card and include important information.

Now the magic can happen! While you can design the card however you wish, make sure that it's readable and clear where it should be. Most business cards are 3.5” x 2” and you can do the same, or play around with the size and design as well.

Not sure how to make your card? Try checking your word processor for available templates. Our business card maker can also help you out, available 24/7 right on this page. Look for one that you can download your card after, in an image or PDF format, so you can print it yourself afterward.

Step 4: Print your cards.

Once you have your document, images, or PDF file with your business cards, it's time to print them. While there are no right or wrong paper to print your cards on, consider the following best practices:

• Use card stock and heavier paper to print your cards. Other than giving your cards a bit of luxurious weight, a heavier card also means it's sturdier and will last longer! This helps keep your card in great condition no matter how long it's being stored.
• Do test out printing your cards on normal paper before using good quality card stock! Check for any misspellings, or information you might have forgotten to add. Your printer may also need a little adjustment.
• Once you're ready to print, make sure your printer is set to more than just “Draft” quality. A clear print that contrasts well with your background is important! Don't make it harder for your clients to see your information.
• Print a few dozens at a time. While it may be tempting to print as you need it (and is definitely one of the perks of printing your own business cards), make sure you have some stored in your wallet. Have extras available on hand to give to people at all times. You never know when you might need it!